What seems odd about the following that was in the GE News today?

"The village (Glen Ellyn) also has set aside $42,000 for the purchase of a new artificial tree."

In case you missed it in the fine print, the village has set aside $42,000 for the purchase of a new artificial Christmas tree. And in case you think I'm upset that we are going back to an artificial tree, the real thing that baffles me and that I have to question is...just what kind of an artificial tree does one get for $42,000 (before answering, keep in mind that $42,000 would supply 42 fountains for the village...perhaps giving Glen Ellyn the ability to surpass Kansas City, MO and stake its rightful claim as the new City of Fountains)?

I'm not that old and I really do have an idea about what things usually cost...new BMW wagon, $62,000 (scratch that of the holiday list)...5th and 6th grade center for D41, $41,000,000...double cheeseburger at McDonald's, $1.00...but I'm a little lost on the concept of the $42,000 artificial Christm...er.....holiday tree. For $42,000 I'd expect that tree to act as a designated driver whenever I went out to avoid the same fate as Keifer Sutherland, tidy up around my house on weekends, be a tender and loving companion in the bedroom, and make me French toast afterward.

That seems like a lot of money for an artificial tree...either that or it's one hell of a typo.

LMAO - post of the month (at least!)

I know, I thought the same thing when I read how much they had budgeted...obviously they don't shop at Costco!

Maybe it has a "clock" on it.

Maybe the tree has 12 fountains for the 12 days of Christmas. I bet no other city has that.

The real problem is that the tree will be purchased after they explain that it's an investment that will last years. Then the village will decide two years later that it wants to go in another direction and decorate at Stacy's Tavern, where the artificial tree will look tacky, so they'll need something new. Other possible scenario, they store the new tree where it will be damaged, since Glen Ellyn doesn't maintain anything. They can always just ask us for more money, right?

youget french toast after? Teach me master.

So just to get the timeline right here:

- You people complain about the old artificial tree

- The Village attempts to use a live tree last year. You people complain about it, ripping on the decorator to the point where it reportedly contributes to him closing up shop.


- The Village decides to go back to an artificial tree (and apparently, a $42,000 kick *** artificial tree) and you people start complaining again!

I'm with you 87!

That being said, $42,000 seems like a lot of money. I would expect it to cost about $15,000-20,000. Nonetheless, I welcome the new tree.

I don't think that the "you people" comment was necessary though.

$2.00 per resident...for yuletide fun and bliss for the foreseeable future...totally worth it.

quote:

Originally posted by middlein87:
So just to get the timeline right here:

- You people complain about the old artificial tree

- The Village attempts to use a live tree last year. You people complain about it, ripping on the decorator to the point where it reportedly contributes to him closing up shop.


- The Village decides to go back to an artificial tree (and apparently, a $42,000 kick *** artificial tree) and you people start complaining again!

I am one of "you people"...and I have never complained about the old tree once in 13 years. Ever. And...I was hyper-supportive of Michael and his dangerously-placed tree. Loved it.

The point is, $42,000 is a really amazing sum for an artificial holiday tree. I mean really amazing. Some might say tremendously amazing.

Technically, MI87, it wasn't a complaint. More of a light-hearted observation. Should the tree actually cost $42,000...which I doubt that it does...then I suppose I'd complain. You and your buddy Potts can stop taking your frustrations out on us friendly town folk ASAP. We are all on the same side. It's for the children. Etc., etc., etc.

quote:

Originally posted by JRPotts:


I don't think that the "you people" comment was necessary though.

Sorry, after letting Clam have it a few posts ago for not inserting an appropriate emoticon, I feel hypocritical.

Do you think the horse trough can hold 42,000 worth of xmas tree?

So....Sox Fan (new name....just too long), am I to understand that you're in favor of a $42,000 tree? You realize that both your cars and possibly your photo equipment all put together is probably worth less than $42,000.

Is it bigger than this tree? And prelit?


It'll be interesting to price compare the brand and size of industrial tree they we buy for 42 thousand clams.

I'll take two 20 footers at that price - and it's free shipping!

quote:

Originally posted by jombl:
Is it bigger than this tree? And prelit?


It'll be interesting to price compare the brand and size of industrial tree they we buy for 42 thousand clams.

You will also need a stand for a 30+ foot tree. That has to cost some coin. Extra decorations, more lights, bows, tree skirt, tax, shipping, etc. It all adds up. Maybe the 42k figure was all in? Maybe they took a page out my Dad's instruction to me when he said, in business and politics, "always under-promise and over-deliver"? We'll see.

Either way, the yuletide memories will be priceless with this new tree....or priced at $2.00 a resident.....$2.78 if they phase it in.

You kill me, Potts.

Will the $42,000 tree be decorated by the same people that take care of the white lights in the trees in the CBD? Great.

That's a $42,000 name...

Maybe it's a $4,000.00 tree. Even that's expensive. What do artificial trees go for now a days? Unlit and lit. Apparently if we hire a decorator, wouldn't they put on the lights? What would we need -how many feet? FIM?